Alejandro Villanueva's jersey becomes an overnight best-seller after he stands for anthem

Offensive linemen generally toil in anonymity. For them, the less the public is talking about them, the better – if you’re in the headlines or being talked about on local radio, it’s probably because you’re not doing your job well.

Villanueva already had a modicum of fame thanks to a commercial with USAA, the financial services company for military members and their families. The 29-year-old is a West Point graduate and former Army Ranger who served three tours of duty in Afghanistan before returning to football (he played at Army) in 2014, signing first with the Philadelphia Eagles after a regional tryout and then with the Steelers.

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle and former Army Ranger Alejandro Villanueva stands outside the tunnel alone during the national anthem on Sunday. (AP)

He has played in 35 games over the past two-plus seasons with Pittsburgh, starting all three games so far this year.

On Saturday and Sunday, as NFL players discussed how to handle the callous remarks of President Donald Trump, who called players who protest during the national anthem “sons of bitches” and that they should be fired, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told his players that they must be unified – either they would be in agreement of what to do on the field, or no one from the team would be on the field.

Since they couldn’t come to a consensus, Pittsburgh players and coaches were supposed to stay in the locker room, though it was later amended to the team’s tunnel near the Soldier Field turf because of timing.